Local Store 2022 Holiday Catalog

GIVE LOCAL GOODS.

That festive season is upon us again! As we enter our 11th year at The Local Store, we feel immense gratitude to be part of your family’s holiday traditions. Choosing to shop local extends community support beyond just our little shop – it’s the staff and their families, the makers that create our goods, the local print shops and service providers we work with, and more.

We’re all thrilled to feel your local support. Being the gateway between maker and community is something we hope to be for many years to come. Read on through the catalog for just a few stories of some of our hundreds of makers. Happy Holidays!

– Lindsey Quinnies, Store Manager

IN THE STUDIO

Ann Wrozek-Manor is the creative soul behind Meadowsong Studios. A relief for her mind as much as for her clay-spinning hands, Meadowsong Studios has been a teaching hub too since it opened in 2009 in the Valley area.

Meadowsong’s terra cotta pieces line The Local Store’s shelves alongside its glazed and nature-themed bowls, the locallymade favorites as practical as they are visually stunning. This trait is part of why Ann found her own stride with pottery, her appreciation for history weaving with her passion for art. As a recently retired elementary art teacher, Ann often pictures herself placed in earlier times throughout history while creating.

“Plus, making art gets you out of cooking, cleaning, laundry – all of these are important but thankless tasks,” Ann jokes. “Make a meal that takes an hour (and) is consumed in 20 minutes, or make a pot in an hour and it lasts for decades… no contest. Sorry, kids.” Her three kiddos turned into wonderful humans though, all jokes aside. Meadowsong has seven furry friends who “help out” too, the patriarch of the bunch named Loco by Ann’s husband, who considered himself loco for agreeing to another dog.

“ There are so many patterns and textures and connections in life; in time and place, nature, in humanity.”

-ANN WROZEK-MANOR, FOUNDER OF MEADOWSONG

"I love to make bowls; rich or poor, city or country... each can be different but usefUl."

LASER FOCUS

Tinker-er, dabbler, and woodworker. Cullen Bright comes from a long line of folks takin’ a stab at a variety of hobbies and endeavors, and Oak Lair is the fruition of his own creative journey. Founded in Spring 2021, Oak Lair has quickly become an eyecatching favorite in the treasure trove of The Local Store, and it’s making its waves throughout the Chippewa Valley too.

Through use of layered wood, Cullen’s work centers Wisconsin nature themes with laser-cut tree lines, deer, fish, and more all telltale signs of the small biz. However, Cullen hopes to dive further into custom work, as folks are invited to reach out with any ideas they’d like Oak Lair to bring to life! In the past, Cullen has created a The Lord of the Rings themed piece, Halloween-inspired haunted houses, magnets, ornaments, and more.

The layered woodwork amplifies the sense of dimension each piece delivers, and his crafting game is certainly above average. Cullen Bright just gets it, and that’s something we can get down with.

INDIVIDUAL & INTRICATE

A Wisconsinite of nearly 20 years with a background in graphic arts, Oak Lair owner Cullen Bright’s art is a clear show of his artistic skill and appreciation for our slice of the Midwest.

“I’ve lived in Wisconsin for almost 20 years, so no turning back now. My feeling is that if you can’t find something fun to do in any of our four seasons, check your pulse, ‘cause you might need an infusion of adventure!”

-CULLEN BRIGHT, CREATOR OF OAK LAIR

Candle with care

What started as a small candle business ran out of her basement in Wisconsin Rapids turned into a family biz full of love and delightful smells. Kenna Hoff and her husband, Doug, took over Smith & Company Candles after her mom had originally started the business in 2007.

Since then, the pair have developed a website, started shipping candles, and strengthened their online presence. They also partnered with Kwik Trip Inc. for a co-branded candle: Glazers® Donuts and the Tri Foam Carwash scent in September of 2020. Moving operations out of their basement and into a 3000 square foot facility, they’ve outgrown that too, recently buying a 20,000 square foot facility and hiring a staff of about 15 people.

terrific traditions

Their Christmas scents are always very popular, including Cozy Winter Nights, Christmas at the Cabin, Peppermint Hot Cocoa, and more. Along with their best selling candles, they also offer wax melts and room sprays, so any room you go into can smell amazing.

Be on the watch for their subscription boxes that will be making a comeback in 2023 as well as collaborations with other businesses in the area, soon to carry their candles.

“Over the years, something I have heard over and over from our customers is how our candles are a part of so many of their holiday traditions and how much nostalgia comes with burning our candles,” Kenna said.

“This may sound cheesy, but all of our staff take so much pride in hand-crafting the most high quality products and I think that really shows.”

-KENNA HOFF, OWNER OF TERRIFIC TRADITIONS